PVLF 2025

JLF Houston Concluded with Impactful Discussions & Impressive Literary Works

JLF Houston delivered inspiring literary discussions, cultural performances, and thought-provoking sessions on global issues, leaving attendees captivated.
on Sep 11, 2024

JLF Houston Impactful Literary Discussion

The seventh installment of JLF in Houston made a strong comeback, providing three days of stimulating conversations, captivating performances, and a celebration of ideas that left the audience buzzing.

This renowned festival united internationally acclaimed authors, thought leaders, and local talent, bringing together global issues and Houston’s cultural diversity across three iconic Houston venues.

The festival showcased a diverse mix of literary talent, offering new perspectives on important topics such as feminism, climate change, the therapeutic influence of literature, and the connections between personal and global narratives.

The first day commenced at the Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with Rothko Chapel. Suraj Dhingra, Teamwork Arts Producer, and Sanjoy Roy, Managing Director, offered insightful remarks and an overview of the festival.

An Indian classical duet, with Shubhendra Rao on sitar and Mastro Saskia Raode Haas on Indian cello, accompanied by Subroto Bhattacharya on tabla, set the stage at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Following this, Houston Youth Poet Laureate Elizebeth Hsu and Fay school students Philip Slosburg and Hamza Quereshi took the stage.

Museum of Fine Arts Curator of Asian Arts Bradley Bailey provided an engaging and enlightening exploration, highlighting the influence of Indian culture on Japanese art through the Meiji Modern Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

He discussed artistic, aesthetic, and trade influences that facilitated the strong connections between these two vital cultures.

The second day took place at the Asia Society, where the festival gained momentum with a stellar lineup of authors and speakers.

Gramophone Women opened the literary segment with an impressive session featuring Vidya Shah, who enthralled the audience with tales of female musicians from the gramophone era.

Shah’s profound knowledge, coupled with her soulful music, resonated with the listeners, demonstrating the enduring impact of these women on shaping the music industry.

Mohan Ambikaipaker offered an insightful conversation, contextualizing the cultural significance of Shah’s work.

The midday session, "The Writing Life," featured a great discussion between bestselling authors Alka Joshi and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, moderated by Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan.

The two authors shared personal anecdotes about how their heritage and life experiences influenced their storytelling, captivating the audience with their insights into creating exciting female characters in fiction. The event was well received by aspiring writers, who took notes from these literary luminaries.

Later, Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor captivated the audience with his witty and thought-provoking session "A Man for All Seasons," providing perspectives on India's intricate history and contemporary challenges.

Reflecting on his diverse career as an author, politician, and global intellectual, his distinct humour and eloquence fascinated the audience as he explored his perspectives on India's history and present, creating one of the most memorable moments of the weekend.

The atmosphere remained vibrant with intense discussions, including Cristina Rivera Garza's moving insights on grief and recovery in Liliana's Invincible Summer.

The emotionally charged event, Liliana's Invincible Summer, featured Pulitzer Prize winner Cristina Rivera Garza discussing the tragic loss of her sister and how her personal sorrow evolved into a powerful story about femicide. In a conversation with Jose Aranda Jr., Garza's touching reflections deeply resonated with the crowd.

The Literature of Healing united physicians and writers Fady Joudah, Kirstan Ostherr, and Ricardo Nuila to examine the overlap between literature and medicine.

The panel explored the significant role of storytelling in the healing process, offering viewpoints that struck a chord with medical professionals and literature enthusiasts in the audience.

The day concluded with a compelling discussion on climate change during the Fire Weather session.

John Vaillant delivered a compelling message about the urgent environmental issues related to wildfires and global warming in a discussion with Navdeep Suri. Vaillant's latest book, Fire Weather, combined with his captivating storytelling, provided an impactful and thought-provoking end to the day.

The third day of the festival ended on a high note at the Eternal Gandhi Museum, shifting the focus to the blend of literature and music.

The highlight of the day was a moving performance of Punjabi songs, blending traditional melodies with contemporary rhythms.

As JLF Houston came to a close, it once again firmed its position as a cultural standout, combining literature, art, and advocacy into an exciting and unforgettable weekend. Attendees left feeling inspired, carrying on the festival's spirit of exploration and dialogue.

The festival's next stop is New York from September 9th to 11th, followed by Boulder, Colorado from September 13th to 15th. JLF will also have inaugural editions this year in Seattle and North Carolina.

The inaugural JLF Seattle is scheduled to run from September 20th to 22nd. This highly expected event will be hosted at the Seattle Asian Art Museum and Town Hall Seattle, marking the grand opening of the Jaipur Literature Festival in the Pacific Northwest.

Jaipur Literature Festival North Carolina will launch from September 27th to 28th. The program promises an exciting lineup of sessions that reflect the festival's dedication to literary excellence and cultural exchange. A remarkable highlight is a discussion between Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri and celebrated writer Suketu Mehta.